1978-1980. Twenty-seven pieces: sixteen typed notes or letters signed and eleven autograph notes signed, all written in his capacity as a reader for Harper's and transmitting poetry by others to Harper's for publication, specifying the rate ($2/word; $3/word) that each author should be paid. Although the poetry is not present, some of the poets Carruth has accepted include Robert Bly, Jim Wright, David Ignatow, Joseph Brodsky and Galway Kinnell. His notes frequently offer a brief opinion on the work or the poet in question. Some mention literary matters such as his editing of the work transmitted or other writerly burdens such as deadlines and luncheons. A handful touch on personal matters: the health of his mother; new living accommodations; the weather; immediate contingencies ("I'm trying to roast a chicken;" "My typewriter is busted"). One particularly moving note expresses his feelings on the declining health of Jim Wright. Nearly all the notes are written on Harper's letterhead or notepaper. Most are signed "Hayden;" others with the initial "H;" the last one is signed in full. Besides serving as a poetry editor at Harper's and at Poetry magazine, Carruth has won numerous awards for his own poetry, including the Ruth Lilly Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award and the National Book Award. He has also been a Guggenheim Fellow and a Bollingen Fellow. Apart from mailing folds and the publisher's annotations indicating routing and payment information, the lot is generally fine. [#015514] SOLD